Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The attraction of fame

Fame is a funny thing. We seem to be drawn to it, like the archetypal moth to the flame. Even if we don't think we are.
I hate celebrity culture. The countless websites, magazines, TV shows that exist only to embarrass, expose, idolize or demonize celebrities really bother me. I don't get the fascination. In fact, my wife will tell you, I have remarked before just how stupid I think the whole thing is.
But my eyes were opened this past month.
You see, I met someone famous. Two someones, in fact. And not just sort of famous. Really very famous people. My interaction with them was limited, but did last 20-30 minutes. In that time I found them to be down to earth, kind, and, well, normal people. During my interactions, I didn't think I was star-struck.
Apparently I was.
Since my brief interaction, I honestly found myself very interested in these people, and for longer than I thought I would have. I now know what movies they have been in, what major awards (Golden Globe and Academy Awards) they have been nominated for or won. I know when they were married, born, etc. The internet makes all this so easily accessible. But what shocked me (and disturbed me) the most was that I found myself hoping for opportunities to see them or speak with them again. I was looking more closely, wanting to catch a glimpse. I found myself paying attention to celebrity news, wondering if I would hear or see their names. I was sucked in. Fortunately, it didn't last, and the brief fascination has now faded. But I am left wondering if I am no better than those celebrity-mongers who keep trash like The Enquirer, Star, and Us Weekly flying off the shelves. Talk about painful self-revelation.

5 comments:

  1. Who were these mysterious celebrities? Inquiring minds want to know.

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  2. I agree...fess up!

    I have to admit that I've been guilty of being more interested than I should in celebrity gossip.

    For example, when I heard about the plane crash involving Travis Barker and DJ AM (neither of whom I particularly like or follow news on), I kept going back to check for updates on their condition.

    Weird.

    Why DO we idolize them and care so much about what they do?

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  3. Peter can't tell you... it would be a tremendous confidentiality violation and we would get sued for money we don't even have :)

    Interested post, babe.

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  4. It is true. Out of respect for their privacy, I'm not going to go mentioning here.

    Sorry!

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  5. Not even a hint? I try not to be too celebrity involved but I do read the headlines on MSN. I draw the line there but even that makes me one of "those people".

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